Dr. Lamm has been an educator for 33 years, having taught in the departments of nursing and arts and sciences. She is an advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Dr. Lamm has taught topics related to mental health and nursing as well as counseling. She assisted in the development of a curriculum for nurses to earn their baccalaureate degrees and also integrated gerontology into curriculum's. She has been director of a public mental health program and a private practice mental health center. Dr. Lamm has been principal investigator (P.I.) for a grant from Polk County Elderly Services for Careivers' Education. She was also P.I. for a grant from Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago. These grants assisted in the development of The Rath Center. She was also the P.I. for a grant "Creative Aging" from the State of Florida. These grants allowed ongoing evaluation of community needs that provide education and advocacy for community dwelling elders. Dr. Lamm was Teacher of the Year, nominated for Nurse of The Year and awarded an honor by the Business Women.

How long I have been at USF Polytechnic:
Since 2001. I began my appointment as a visiting Associate Professor. I was Principal Investigator on a grant from The Polk County Elderly Services that provided caregivers education with information to 1100 community dwelling elders and their families. I received a grant from Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago that provided funding to support the development of The Rath Senior ConNEXTions and Education Center. During this time, Mr. Alfred Rath donated funding for a foundation to provide education for students entering the study of aging in the Social Sciences. Following the establishment of the Rath Center, we received funding for a Creative Aging Program. This enabled the further development of Senior Scholars.

How long I've been teaching:
I have been teaching and developing curriculum's in health and gerontology for 33 years. I have also been an advocate for 35 years. I was an Ombudsman appointed by Governor Graham and serve on The West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors. I have been Treasurer and Secretary of the Board.

What are some of the signature assignments you have given your students?
I promote students from all disciplines to research topics related to 1. culture, 2. aging, 3. and diversity. They present their research information to the class to promote further understanding of these areas of learning.

The accomplishment I am most proud of is:
The education I have provided for students in the health and allied health disciplines for 33 years.

If I weren't in this profession, I would be....
A travel guide in remote areas of the world.

My favorite memory from my undergraduate experience is:
So many it is difficult to capture...but the coffee shops with folk music on Friday evenings after classes.

My favorite thing on campus is....
meeting with my students and other faculty members

What I like most about the students at USF Polytechnic is...
They are curious and eager to learn. They are the most courteous students I have encountered.

My area of expertise and research are related to assessing unmet needs of seniors and their families. Identifying these needs allows planning for services to be provided. Crises are often the motivating factors that promote this population to access services. Assessing needs provides ongoing education, technical assistance and health intervention prior to catastrophic event.s Identification and needs assessment also includes the mental health needs of this population. Often mental health is couched in physical and social alterations that remains untreated. Untreated depression often crates complications resulting in the onset of dementia.

The philosophy I bring to my students is "each individual will develop to their potential". In reaching the goal, each student must develop their learning model that includes the information inherent in the goals of the class. I also promote each student to think while integrating their beliefs. A student may accomplish a superior grade when they prove the essence of the truth.